A word on blue plates....

There is a bit of tradition/etiquette that goes along with having a blue plate. I encourage anyone that wants one to get one, but this is what I personally expect of the people that have them....

1. Behave. You are now a banner for the squad as a whole. Don't speed, don't tailgate, don't park like a jerk, don't drive like a jerk. While some of these are illegal and some more grey, the police are watching you, and though they may give you pass from time to time, they are quick to report bad behavior to the BVRS officers. They also will not tolerate it for long...

2. Wave. Wave to the police officers when you see them, they will wave back. This has been the culture in town for quite some time, and it is just an acknowledgement of the role in public service you both play. As an added bonus the PD may come to recognize you as an "overall good person". This may help you if your good person status were to falter temporally late one evening and the PD were around to see it.... Wave to other members and other agency plates. There is no need to go overboard with it, just keep in in mind as you pass folks going the other direction.

3. Speak. Often people will come up to me in a parking lot or wherever and ask about the plate, or more frequently they are in the Fire/EMS service and what to say hey. I always make time for people in this regard, even when I am short on time. It is just another way to pay your respects to other public servants.

If you have someone in your life that regularly drives your vehicle, make sure they understand all the above as well. The culture does not stop just because YOU are not driving it.

Lastly, remember it is completely optional to put the blue plate on your vehicle. If anything I just said sounds like a pain and not worth doing, that's fine, don't put it on. No one will judge you for that. The same is not true of the converse.

End soapbox....

Cheers,

Eric Stanley